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Murderer arrested in Warwickshire after escaping prison

By James Smith   7th Jan 2026

Matthew Armstrong has been caught (images via Avon and Somerset Police)
Matthew Armstrong has been caught (images via Avon and Somerset Police)

A convicted murderer who has been on the run after fleeing prison has been arrested in Henley-in-Arden.

Matthew Armstrong, 35, was caught near the railway station by Warwickshire Police just before midday today (7 January) following a sighting reported by a member of the public. 

He is now in police custody having been on the run since New Year's Day.

Fellow escapee of HMP Leyhill Daniel Washbourne, 40, was arrested at around 1.30am today by officers in Bristol city centre.

Washbourne was initially taken to hospital after officers found him with pre-existing injuries but is also now in police custody.  

Armstrong has also been arrested on suspicion of robbery, in connection with an incident in a village near Leyhill, which happened at around 6.45pm on Wednesday 31 December, the night before he absconded from the Gloucestershire prison.

A man had forced his way into a home and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash.

Following this incident, Avon and Somerset Police carried out a number of enquiries, including interviews with the victims and house-to-house enquiries, which have led to Armstrong being arrested on suspicion of committing this offence.  

Armstrong has been in prison after being found guilty of murder during a robbery in the late 2000's.

He was convicted for killing 54-year-old Paul Smith in Rugby town centre.

Mr Smith had been returning home from the pub when he was attacked by Armstrong and his 14-year-old accomplice who beat him around the head with a brick.

The pair then robbed him of his phone and wallet and left him on the pavement in a pool of blood.

In addition to the arrests today, a third man was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol on Saturday 3 January.

The 39-year-old has since been charged with escaping lawful custody, and he appeared at court on Monday 5 January. He'll next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February.   

     

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